A shocking incident of caste-based violence has emerged from Etawah district in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday, where members belonging to the Bahujan community were severely assaulted by upper caste men, who brutalised them and forcefully tonsured their hair, urinated on them, for taking part in a religious event.
The incident occurred in Dadrapur village, within the limits of Bakewar Police Station, where a group of Brahmin men attacked a Katha Vachak (religious preacher) and his aides for organising Baagavat Katha in the village after discovering that he belongs to a lower caste.
Devotees gathered there, including a woman, were also attacked, forced to rub their noses on the bare ground, and severely humiliated.
The attackers allegedly sprinkled urine on them while forcing them to bow to the villagers’ feet, and stole ₹25,000 and a gold chain before expelling them from the village.
This brutal assault, which took place around 6 p.m. on 22nd June, came to light after a video recording of the incident went viral through social media platforms, showing the preacher’s head being forcefully shaved and the mob tearing his clothes.
The victim, Mukutmani Singh Yadav, a native of Kanpur, has reportedly named around five known individuals and 50 others responsible for the attack against him, under the leadership of Pappu Baba, who is also the organiser of the seven-day religious event conducted in the village.
According to Etawah SSP, a case was registered at Bakewar Police Station following the incident, and four persons involved, including the main accused, have been arrested.
The perpetrators can be heard saying, “You are getting punished for coming to the village of Brahmins,” in the video clip, which was later shared by many political leaders demanding justice for the victim.
Bhim Army Chief and Nagina MP Chandra Shekhar Aazad has posted videos of the assault on X, calling for immediate action from the UP Government in this shameful attack.
Chandra Shekhar Aazad on X:
He also demanded that the government ensure the security of the victims and provide compensation of at least ₹10 lakh.
He posted on X that “the Bhim Army, Azad Samaj Party (Kanshiram), Etawah team reached the spot as soon as they received information about the incident and stood with the victims.”
He warned that “if concrete action is not taken within two days on this inhumane casteist attack, the Bahujan community will be compelled to launch a large-scale movement in a constitutional manner”, and added that “the administration will have to take full responsibility for this.”
Akhilesh Yadav, MP and President of the Samajwadi Party, also posted on X, stating that “our Constitution does not permit caste-based discrimination; this is a crime committed against the fundamental right to live with dignity and respect.”
He demanded that “all the accused should be immediately arrested, and a case should be registered under appropriate sections,” warning that “if strict action is not taken within the next 3 days, we will call for a major movement to protect the dignity and honour of PDA,” as he sought justice for the victims.
Courtesy : Maktoob Media
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